Monday, September 12, 2011

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13.09. (Tue) 20:45 Olympiakos - Olympique Marseille

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Olympiacos (4-2-3-1): 
Costanzo; Modesto, Papadopoulos, Mellberg, Marcano; Feisa, Makoun; Fuster, Yeste, Fetfatzidis; Mirallas

Olympiacos coach Ernesto Valverde has a fully fit squad to choose from after the club's delay in commencing their league campaign. A lack of competitive action may count against the Greeks, but so too may the departure of Albert Riera to Galatasaray amongst others.

Olympique de Marseille (4-3-3):
Mandanda; Morel, Diawara, Fanni, Azpilicueta; Lucho Gonzalez, Diarra, Cheyrou; Amalfitano, Gignac, Remy

Marseille boss Didier Deschamps is likely to be without the services of Mathieu Valbuena for the trip to Athens on Tuesday. The dimunitive winger looked to have pulled a hamstring almost half an hour in to the 1-0 defeat against Rennes on Saturday.
Also sidelined is Andre Ayew, who picked up a groin injury whilst away on international duty with Ghana. Initially out for 10 days, the midfielder could well still make the bench. Stephane Mbia continues his rehabilitation from a broken foot.
Jeremy Morel and Morgan Amalfitano, both summer signings from Lorient, are in line to make their Champions League, and, indeed, European debuts for Marseille.

DID YOU KNOW?

Olympiacos qualified for the group stages of the Uuefa Champions League by winning the Greek Superliga in 2010-11.
The Kikkoni are yet to play a competitive game this season due to the ongoing match scandal in Greece.
The Greeks have lost their last three home games against French opponents.
Olympiacos were last in the group stages in 2009-10. That season, they won all their home games and reached the last 16 before being eliminated by Ligue 1 side Bordeaux.
Marseille qualified for the group stages for the Champions League by finishing second in Ligue 1. This is their fifth straight participation - a club record.
L'OM were, and still are, the first and only side from France to lift the Uefa Champions League after winning the inaugural edition in 1993.
Didier Deschamps' men have recorded the competition's biggest win in each of the last two seasons. In 2009-10 they thrashed Zurich 6-1, whilst setting a new record by dismantling Zilina 7-0 in Slovakia last year.
Marseille exited last year's competition at the hands of runners-up Manchester United. A 0-0 draw at the Stade Velodrome was followed by a 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford.
The two sides last met in the 1994-95 Uefa Cup first round, OM running out 5-1 aggregate winners against Olympiakos.

Prediction
After OM's disappointing start to the season, it will be difficult to see them put in a convincing performance. One plus for the French side will be the lack of competitive action enjoyed by the Greeks. A narrow win for Marseille looks likely, but so too does the possibility of a draw. Close game in prospect.
Editor's Prediction
Olympiakos Piraeus 0-1 Marseille